10 Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by an unhealthy ratio of good to bad bacteria in the vaginal flora. While all women are at risk for bacterial vaginosis, there are certain factors can increase your risk of infection.

These factors include excessive smoking, alcohol, douching, prolonged menstruation, unsafe intercourse, poor hygiene, multiple sexual partners, unhealthy diet, use of intrauterine tools for contraception, and usage of deodorants or perfumed washes around vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis is usually not serious and often goes away on its own. However, it’s a good idea to treat it as soon as symptoms appear.

Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:

Vaginal discharge that is thick, heavy, and white or grey in color
Noticeable pain or burning while urinating or having sexual intercourse
Increased discharge after sexual intercourse or the menstrual cycle
Itching in the vaginal region
Red (more than usual) or inflamed vulva (the lips outside the vagina)
Foul and unpleasant smell from the discharge

Note: If the discharge is thin with streaks of blood, it is indicative of atrophic vaginitis.

Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis

You can cure bacterial vaginosis by taking a few simple precautions. Home remedies prove to be substantially more helpful in dealing with the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Here are 10 home remedies for bacterial vaginosis.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

An excellent home remedy for bacterial vaginosis is apple cider vinegar. One of the reasons bacterial vaginosis develops is because of an imbalance in the pH levels of your vagina. Since apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic, it can assist in restoring the proper balance between “bad” and “good” bacteria in your body. Apple cider vinegar also has the ability to eliminate bad bacteria because it is antibacterial.

Add 1-2 cups of apple cider vinegar to your bath water.
Sit in the bath water for about 20 minutes.
Gently pat dry the vaginal area.
Do this once daily until the condition improves.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt is packed with good bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus. This bacterium is naturally present in a woman’s body and assists in treating infections in the vagina by reestablishing balance in bacteria levels. There are a couple of ways to use yogurt for bacterial vaginosis.

Eat a cup of yogurt each day. This will build up the “good” bacteria in your body.
Alternatively, soak a tampon in yogurt for 10 minutes and then insert it into your vagina for two hours.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains natural antibacterial as well as antifungal compounds that are very effective in reducing bacterial infection in the vagina. It will also combat the awful smell that is common with bacterial vaginosis.

Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in the lukewarm water and rinse your vagina with this solution.

4. Garlic

Considered a natural antibiotic and as having antifungal properties, garlic can go a long way in helping treat bacterial vaginosis.

Take 3-4 garlic cloves and crush them. Spread the mashed garlic onto the infected area and let it stand for 20 minutes. Then, wash your vagina with lukewarm water.
Do this once daily until the condition improves.
Alternatively, consume raw garlic or add it into your food daily.

5. Aloe Vera

Since aloe vera is loaded with several therapeutic properties, it is highly recommended for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. It soothes the burning sensation and cures the infection quickly.

Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the infected area.
Then, wash your vagina with lukewarm water.
Do this once daily until the condition improves.

6. Milk

Milk contains lactobacilli bacteria, which make it an excellent natural cure for bacterial vaginosis. Plus, milk helps strengthen the immune system.

Dip a tampon in chilled milk and insert it into your vagina. Keep the tampon in for 1-2 hours and then remove it. Do this once daily for several days.
Alternatively, add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk. Drink this mixture once daily until your condition improves.

7. Tea Bags

The tannins present in tea have antibiotic and astringent properties that help soothe the burning sensation as well as reduce swelling and irritation.

Soak a tea bag in water and then place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
Apply the tea bag externally on the affected area for about 10 minutes.
Follow this remedy 3-4 times daily for a few weeks to clear up the infection completely.

8. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is known as one of many natural home remedies for bacterial vaginosis. There are several ways to consume it.

Mix a teaspoon of fenugreek powder to one cup of yogurt and eat twice a day.
Alternatively, add one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds to a cup of water. Let the mixture steep for five minutes, strain and add honey to taste. Drink this tea up to three times daily.

9. Coconut Oil

Containing natural antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal compounds, coconut oil can help eliminate bacterial vaginosis and prevent it from coming back again.

Apply organic coconut oil on the infected area three times daily until your condition improves.
Also, use coconut oil in your cooking as much as possible to boost your immune system and speed up the healing process.

10. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide works as a natural disinfectant and helps to eradicate the bad bacteria and other inflammatory agents that cause bacterial vaginosis.

Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal quantity of water. You can use this solution as a douche.
Alternatively, apply it to a tampon and insert in the vagina. Don’t let the tampon inserted for more than 30 minutes.

How to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis

Avoid douching. Research shows that women who douche regularly encounter more health problems than women who do not douche. While doctors are unsure of the specific link between douching and bacterial vaginosis, it is advisable to refrain from douching.

Avoid having sex with multiple partners and limit your number of new partners. Having sex with a new partner means exposing yourself to new bacteria. Abstinence may decrease your risk of bacterial vaginosis, but sexually inactive women are not immune to bacterial vaginosis.

Take oral probiotic pills regularly. Check with your doctor to see if a probiotic regiment is appropriate for you. Specific strains of Lactobacillus are thought to inhibit the growth of bacterial vaginosis-causing bacteria.

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